Research Assistant

Background

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (www.ciat.cgiar.org) works to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human health in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture. CIAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org), a global research partnership working with many partners for a food secure future.

CIAT is actively involved in the implementation of Foodstart+, a project aiming to enhance food resilience among poor households in upland and coastal communities of the Asia-Pacific region (Philippines, Indonesia, China, India and Vietnam), through introducing RTC innovations, primarily within the framework of IFAD investments. The project objective is to identify gender responsive needs and opportunities through vulnerability assessments among food insecure RTC producing and consuming households, and design and implement innovations with partners and local stakeholders that enhance food resilience.

CIAT is in charge of implementing activities in Vietnam and Indonesia. In Vietnam, the scoping study will be carried out between October and December 2015, for discussion and use as a planning tool during the FS+ inception meeting in January 2016. In order to provide support to the scoping study coordinator, CIAT is currently seeking a full-time research assistant, for 2 months, from 15 October 2015 to 15 December 2015.

Responsibilities

• Support data collection and data analysis, identifying, analyzing and summarizing key documents (focusing on the documentation available in Vietnamese language, but not only), and providing the study coordinator with clear and concise outputs;

• Support and conduct key informant interviews with a wide range of actors such as farmers, NGOs and local authorities, assisting the study coordinator in organizing meetings, providing translation when needed and contributing to write minutes of the interviews;

• Support organization of Focus Group Discussions, including:
  
  • Support the identification of target villages in close collaboration with the study coordinator;
  • Handling logistic and administrative procedures with village heads and farmers;

• Facilitate Focus Group Discussions with farmers;

• Provide assistance in the preparation of the scoping study report.

Requirements

• MSc degree, preferably in agriculture economics, development economics, and related fields (candidates with a BSc degree may be considered if having considerable field-based experience). A keen interest in agricultural development and related socio-economic issues is needed;

• 3 to 5 years of working experience in rural development, including:
  
  • Field work, in particular interviews and surveys with farmers;
  • Data collection and data analysis.

• Knowledge on root and tuber crops would be appreciated;

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese, as well as effective communication and interpersonal skills; Strong analytical skills are also required;

• Willingness and ability to travel in Central Vietnam;

• Available for starting in October 2015.

Terms of Employment

The ‘Research Assistant’ will report to the Foodstart+ coordinator in Vietnam and will be based at the CIAT Regional Office in Hanoi, Vietnam, with frequent travels to Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces. This is a nationally recruited position, and applications from Vietnamese nationals will thus receive priority. The contract will be for a period of three months, potentially renewable depending on performance and funding. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender.

Applications

To apply for this position, send us a cover letter with your qualifications and suitability, together with detailed curriculum vitae, including the names and addresses of three persons who are familiar with your professional qualifications and work experience. Direct your correspondence to Mr. Brice Even ([email protected]), indicating “Research Assistant – Foodstart+’’ in your application letter and email message, no later than October 15, 2015. Please do not make phone calls.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: October 15 or until a suitable candidate is identified.